School first, decision second for shooter
Chris Baez is a fine specialist. The Florida native has taken his sharp-shooting ability to Lee Academy in Maine and with continued work in the classroom, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard could land at a top school next year.
Baez played well at the National Prep Showcase last month and since then Lee Academy head coach Carl Parker has been a busy many fielding phone calls from coaches all over the country.
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"A lot of people have inquired since Worcester but he hasn't been offered or taken any visits yet," Parker said. "The interest level is there. I'll probably take about two or more calls a day about him. The SEC, Big East, Big 12 and then a lot of mid-majors. It's all over the place."
Parker said he believes Baez would like to play at the highest level possible but there has not been a school that has separated from the pack yet.
"No one is really standing out but there are some that are a little more consistent," Parker said. "I've had two or three calls from Iowa State, College of Charleston, Providence and Illinois State. It's been a mixed bag."
Coaches have been impressed with Baez's ability to score the ball in bunches. That has been his strength since scoring nearly 30 points a game as a senior in Florida.
"He's a good offensive player," Parker said. "He could be really good if he valued the game on both sides of the ball. He needs to defend better. If he gets his shots to go, he's playing well but if he isn't, he's not playing."
Like most players still available, Baez needs some work done in the classroom before he takes any visits.
"He approaches that like he approaches defense," Parker said. "He still has a ways to go academically."
After the holiday break, Baez will begin to narrow things done, Parker said.